Definition

Noun: 1. An extremely exciting or successful event, especially a sports contest or performance: A "barnburner" is an event that is exceptionally thrilling, intense, or impressive, often exceeding expectations. 2. A person who destroys property, such as a barn, for personal or political advantage: This historical usage refers to someone who takes radical or extreme action, often to make a point, even if it is self-destructive.

Usage Examples

• As an exciting event:

  • The championship game was an absolute barnburner, with the lead changing hands ten times.
  • Her keynote speech at the conference was a real barnburner, leaving the entire audience energized.

• As a radical person (historical/figurative):

  • The politician was labeled a barnburner for his uncompromising and disruptive reform tactics.
  • In the 19th century, the term was used for factionalists willing to "burn down" their own party to achieve their goals.

Advanced Usage

• "a real barnburner": A common intensifying phrase used to emphasize that an event was exceptionally good or thrilling.
  • The final debate of the election season turned out to be a real barnburner.

Variants and Related Words

• Barn-burning (adjective): Used to describe something as extremely exciting, intense, or successful.
  • The team is known for its barn-burning offensive plays.

Synonyms

• Thriller: An event, especially a game or contest, that is very exciting and suspenseful.
• Blockbuster: A great success, particularly in entertainment.
• Radical: A person who advocates for complete political or social reform (for the second meaning).
• Zealot: A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their ideals.

Related Idioms

• "Burn the house down": An idiom with a similar figurative sense of radical, all-or-nothing action for effect.
  • He's willing to burn the house down to prove his point, much like a political barnburner.

Noun

1. an impressively successful event
   • the rock concert was a real barnburner
2. someone who burns down a barn